How to Give First Aid Treatment for Shock

Electric shocks are sudden accidents that require fast thinking to revive and rescue victims from lasting damage. The severity of an electrical shock is determined by the type of current used, the voltage applied, the direction taken by the current through the body, the person’s overall health, and how rapidly the person is treated.

Electrical shocks can result in burns or leave no noticeable mark on the skin. An electrical current passing through the body may cause internal damage, cardiac arrest, and other injuries in either case. Even a small amount of energy can be lethal in some situations.

If you encounter a situation where someone you know has been shocked by electricity, please follow the directions below: 

• To switch off the electricity, remove the person from the source of the current. 
• If the plug is not broken, unplug the appliance or turn off the power at the circuit breaker, fuse box, or outside switch.

If you are unable to turn off the power:

• Stand on something non-conductive and dry, like dry newspapers, a phone book, or a wooden desk. 
• Using a non-conductive object such as a wooden or plastic broom handle, a chair, or a rubber doormat, try to keep the person away from the current.

If there are high-voltage lines involved:

• They must be turned off by the local power company.
• If you have a tingling feeling in your legs and lower body, do not try to separate the individual from the current. Hop to a secure location where you can wait for the lines to be disconnected on one foot.
• If a power line falls on a vehicle, tell the passengers to stay inside unless there is a chance of explosion or fire.
• When you can safely touch the person, do CPR if the person is not breathing or does not have a pulse.
• For a child, start CPR for children.
• For an adult, start adult CPR.

Check for other injuries

See if the person has any bleeding from cuts. If so, apply pressure on the wound to staunch bleeding and keep their  arms and feet elevated if the wound is in those areas.  If the person has fallen down as a result of the electric shock, check for fractures. Do not move or try to set the fracture, especially if it is located on the neck. Call an ambulance and wait for emergency services personnel to arrive.

While waiting for 999 to arrive

• Reduce the amount of restrictive clothes they are wearing.
• Cover with a blanket or a coat.
• Do not move the victim if there is risk of further injury.

• Reassure the person.
• Do not allow them  to eat or drink anything.

Follow up treatment

Burns, fractures, dislocations, and other injuries will be treated by a doctor.

It’s possible that an ECG, blood tests, urine test, CT scan, or MRI would be needed.

The person can be taken to a hospital or a burn center.

First Aid Treatment for Fainting and Shock

Fainting happens when the brain does not receive enough blood flow for a short period of time, causing you to lose consciousness. Typically, this loss of consciousness is only for a few minutes.

It’s possible that fainting has no medical significance. A severe illness, often affecting the heart, may also be the cause. As a result, treat loss of consciousness as a medical emergency before the signs and symptoms subside and the cause can be determined. If you pass out more than once, see the doctor. Shock is a life-threatening condition caused by a sudden decrease in blood flow in the body. Trauma, heatstroke, blood loss, an allergic reaction, a serious infection, poisoning, severe burns, and other factors may all cause shock. Shock occurs when a person’s organs do not receive enough blood or oxygen. This can result in irreversible organ damage or even death if left untreated.

Fainting Treatment

• Place the person on his or her back. If possible, lift the person’s legs above heart level — about 12 inches (30 centimeters) — if there are no fractures and the person is breathing. Belts, collars, and other constrictive garments should be loosened.
• Don’t get the person up too fast if you don’t want them to faint again. Call 911 or your nearest ambulance number if the person does not regain consciousness within one minute.
• Make sure they are breathing properly. Start CPR if the person isn’t breathing. Call 999 or the appropriate emergency number in your state. CPR should be continued before help arrives or the person starts to breathe on their own.
• If the person was hurt in a fall caused by a faint, treat any bumps, bruises, or cuts as soon as possible. Apply pressure onto an active bleeding wound.

For Shock

• Unless you think this will cause discomfort or further damage, lay the person down and raise the legs and feet slightly.
• Keep the person still and only move them if it’s absolutely necessary.
• If the person shows no signs of life, such as not breathing, coughing, or shifting, start CPR immediately.
• To prevent chilling, loosen tight clothing and, if necessary, cover the person with a blanket.
• Do not let the person eat or drink anything.
• If the person vomits or starts bleeding from the mouth and there is no sign of a spinal injury, turn him or her to the side to avoid choking.
• Call the emergency hotline 999 and wait for medical personnel to arrive.